ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT

It is the mission of the Smithville R-II School District’s transportation department to improve student achievement by providing safe, timely, and efficient transportation for all eligible students in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances and Board of Education policies and procedures.

All parents and riders should know:

  • The driver is in charge of the students. Bus students must obey the driver promptly and cheerfully.

  • Students must be on time. The bus cannot wait beyond its regular schedule for those who are not out at their stop.

  • Students should never stand in the roadway while waiting.

  • Tobacco use is prohibited on the bus and at the bus stop.

  • Behavior appropriate for the classroom is also required on the bus.

  • Per Missouri State regulations, students should be seated at all times when the bus is in motion. They should be seated with their feet in their compartments, facing forward, and with their backs against the seatback. Backpacks and other carry-ons need to be kept out of the aisle.

  • Students are not allowed to have any body parts sticking out of the windows. Nothing may be thrown out of the windows. No inappropriate language/gestures may be displayed in the windows.

  • Per School District regulations, there will be no eating or drinking (except water) on the bus unless a student has a medical condition such as diabetes. This rule does not apply to field trips.

  • Students must follow the safety instructions given by the driver for exiting the bus. They must watch for an O.K. from the driver to cross well in front of the bus and they must never walk back down the side of the bus where drivers can not see them.

  • Damage done to a bus will be paid for by the responsible student(s).

  • Students will only be dropped off at their assigned stops. A change in drop off location will require a phone call from a parent to the school office and if approved a bus permission slip will be issued and signed by authorized personnel.

  • Students are not allowed to ride home with another student for a birthday party or sleepover. Students are allowed to ride home on a bus other than their assigned bus only on an emergency basis. A parent must contact the school office with the reason, and if approved, the student will be issued a permission slip signed by authorized personnel.

  • A transportation form must be completed for any changes throughout the year, which is found in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Failure to follow these regulations can result in suspension from the school bus.

CONTACTS

Robert Hedgecorth
Executive Director of Support Services
hedgecor@smithville.k12.mo.us 
816-532-0406, ext. 7198

Alissa Batliner
Director of Transportation; DS Bus Lines 
alissa.batliner@dsbuslines.com
816-591-5399